Mariners announce spring training non-roster invitees
Jan 16, 2018, 4:19 PM | Updated: 4:28 pm
Hisashi Iwakuma, who signed a minor-league deal, will be in Mariners spring training. (AP)
(AP)
With just 29 days until pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Mariners have announced 22 non-roster invites.
Hisashi Iwakuma, who is not expected to be ready to return from shoulder surgery until late May/early June, heads up the list of players, which includes several who made appearances with the Mariners in 2017. Among those names are Christian Bergman, Ryan Garton, Casey Lawrence, Tuffy Gosewisch and Gordon Beckham.
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As he revealed on his podcast “The Wheelhouse,” general manager Jerry Dipoto will follow through on his promise to reward young players who won organizational competitions with an invitation to big league camp. The 2017 Edgar Martinez PTPA Award winner, infielder Jordan Cowan, and 60 FT. 6 IN. Club Award winner, right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome, will make their first appearances on the Major League side of camp. Ian Miller, Joe DeCarlo, Matt Festa, Art Warren, Braden Bishop and Ian Miller complete the group from the minor leagues.
Also in spring training will be several players new to the organization on minor league contracts: right-handed pitcher Jiminian Johendi, catcher Joe Odom, infielders Matt Hague and Rey Navarro, and outfielders John Andreoli and Kirk Nieuwenhuis.
Infielder Zach Vincej, who was claimed off waivers from the Reds in November, outfielder Andrew Aplin, who spent the season at Tacoma after being acquired in May, and reliever Ryan Cook, who sat out 2017 after Tommy John surgery, complete the group of non-roster invitees.
The Mariners spring training roster is currently at 61 players. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 14.
